Page 43 of Zahhn's Mate
The screen flashes blue again, and I immediately turn my back to it. I climb under the covers and press my fingers in my ears. I don’t want to hear the screams of The Saviors as they’re executed. Executions are always broadcast ship-wide, and I’ve witnessed too many to count over the years.
I remain in bed for hours, trembling and crying with my fingers pressed in my ears. Maybe it makes me a coward for not watching, but I don’t care. I just want today to be over.
My thoughts stray to Zahhn. I’m not sure where we stand. When he last visited me—when he somehow temporarily projected himself into the worldship’s brig—he seemed bent on vengeance. He thinks I was involved in the rebel plot against his people, and he didn’t stay long enough to hear me out.
I will make you pay for what you’ve done.
I shiver again.
Silent tears soak my pillow as I consider all I’ve lost. My entire life has been upended, and all the plans I had for the future have turned to dust. I used to dream about opening my own restaurant on whatever planet humankind finally settled upon—with a secret bar in the back, of course.
Growing up, I always felt so alone. So rejected. Having an absentee father will do that to a person. Especially when your mother’s long dead and you have no other living family members.
My speakeasy not only kept me busy and helped occupy my mind, but it gave me the opportunity to assemble a tight-knit friend group. A chosen family. Even when Ellen, Angelo, and Michaela weren’t around, I still had plenty of friendly people surrounding me at the bar. Because of the speakeasy, I never lacked for companionship.
In addition to my selfish reasons for establishing the bar, I believe I did a good thing by providing a gathering place for regular citizens of theJansonnato hang out and unwind. A place for people to socialize without worrying about a fucking morality officer breathing down their neck.
Maybe I should’ve kept rebels from congregating in my bar, but how was I to know they were planning to mass murder the Darrvasons, take out the command team, and assume leadership of theJansonna?
The truth is, I never believed they would succeed in overthrowing Captain Warren. Over the years, several rebel groups have tried and failed. All who were caught paid with their lives.
I dig my fingers deeper in my ears, determined not to hear anything. If I hear a single scream or gasp of pain coming from the info screen, I’ll wonder if it’s my father, then I’ll probably end up checking.
A heavy, warm hand runs up and down my back. I startle and turn over, but no one is there. As I check to see who touched me, I’m careful not to glance at the info screen or remove my fingers from my ears. How very strange. A glance around the cell shows my fellow prisoners are seated on their beds.
Again, I feel a hand caressing my back in a comforting manner. Then I detect Zahhn’s familiar masculine scent in the air, and I can’t help but take a huge lungful of it.
He’shere. He’s here but he’s… not.
Not physically, anyway.
I suppose he doesn’t want to fully project himself into the cell in the middle of the day. Not when my cellmates are awake and the guards patrolling the corridors walk by every few minutes.
Though our last conversation was a tense one, and I’m not sure whether he truly plans to seek retribution against me for my alleged involvement in The Saviors’ foiled plot, I can’t help but take comfort in his touch.
Tears burn in my eyes. Today is one of the darkest days of my life, but Zahhn is here with me, offering me the gift of his presence. Offering me comfort. I breathe deep of his scent and sigh softly as he continues rubbing my back.
Are you going to hurt me?I ask.When I’m handed over to your people in two moon cycles, will you hurt me?
There’s a long pause. Then his voice finally rumbles through my head.I haven’t decided yet, human female.
He keeps gently rubbing my back.
Chapter 26
ZAHHN
I’m backon theHaxxalwith another scientific achievement to my name, probably my greatest yet. The trials on theRorrsawere a huge success, and a treatment forforlonngsanow exists. All the patients who’ve been treated thus far have made full recoveries.
As I peer around my laboratory, the sense of pride I’d expected to feel at this moment doesn’t come. Not fully. All I can think about is Leona. In a matter of days, she’ll be given to my people. Also in a matter of days, I plan to take ownership of her.
Though I’ve spoken with Officer Brute a few times recently, he is not yet certain what will happen to the five females who aren’t in the nineteen to twenty-five age range. He’s suggested that perhaps they’ll be used as servants, but I cannot fathom how that will work.
Because those five women won’t be drenched in the scent of a mate, which means, through no fault of their own, they’ll be a temptation to unmated Darrvason males who might encounter them. Perhaps Officer Brute doesn’t want to admit it, but thosefive females will have to be kept in a secure location. Like the brig.
But that will not happen to Leona.
I will not allow it.
